‘Encamisada’ in Vale das Fontes

April 9, 2025

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Vale das Fontes is a Portuguese parish located in the municipality of Vinhais, in the district of Bragança. It has an area of 16,55 km² and a population of 262 inhabitants according to the 2021 census. In addition the parish includes the villages of Nuzedo de Baixo and the Neighborhood of Assearas (Minas). Olive oil and wine are the main agricultural products.

Every year, on the night of 31 December, the inhabitants perform the ‘Encamisada’. This is a parade that runs through the streets of the village to the sound of bagpipe music. Before the parade, a group of pipers walks through the village streets to greet the inhabitants.

The parade participants dress up as they please and in bizarre costumes, as if it were a Carnival parade. The important thing is to hide each person’s identity. People begin by gathering in a small square around a bonfire. Some bring pets to also participate in the parade. When there is a significant number of masked people, the Encamisada begins, with the masked people, the animals and the group of bagpipers. As the Encamisada runs through the streets of the village, more masked participants join in.

The Encamisada ends in the same square where it began. This is a moment of healthy and joyful conviviality among the inhabitants of the village. The photographs were taken with a Leica R5, fitted with an Elmarit 35/2.8 and a Metz 32 Z-2 flash unit. The lens was fitted with B+W medium yellow 022 filter. The film used was the Foma 400 Action, an inexpensive but high-quality alternative to the Kodak and Ilford equivalents.

To develop the films, I use E-76 developer, an environmentally friendly alternative to D-76 and ID-11. It’s based on ascorbic acid, commonly known as vitamin C.

Here’s the formula: Quantity to make 1 litre